Side effects of Lyrica

Side effects of Lyrica

Lyrica is a medicine containing the active constituent pregabalin.

Pregabalin works by slowing down the impulses responsible for inducing seizures in the brain.

It also affects the chemicals sending the signals for pain across the nervous system.

However, the side effects of Lyrica may be very upsetting and irritating to the patient.

Uses and indications of Lyrica:

Lyrica is used in adults to help in treating,

• Neuropathic pain (pain resulting from damage to the nerve), such as the peripheral neuropathic pain experienced by diabetic patients or experienced after the infection with herpes zoster (shingles), or the central neuropathic pain experienced after an injury to the spinal cord
• An add-on treatment in patients with epilepsy experiencing partial seizures and their current treatment can’t control them
• Generalized anxiety disorder (severe anxiety about everyday matters)
• Fibromyalgia (weakness and pain spreading all over the body)

Dosage and administration:

Lyrica is available in the form of capsules and oral solutions with many different concentrations.

Generally, the dosage ranges from 150 to 600 mg daily divided into 2 to 3 doses.

 

Neuropathic pain and epilepsy:

The dose can start with 150 mg daily divided into 2 or 3 doses.

It may be increased on an interval of 3 to 7 days to 300 mg to a maximum of 600 mg based on the patient’s response and tolerability.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD):

The dosage ranges from 150 to 600 mg in 2 or 3 divided doses, with the regular reassessment of the medical condition and response to treatment.

The dose is increased by 150 mg each week based on the response to treatment and tolerability.

Fibromyalgia:

The dose can start with 150 mg daily divided into 2 or 3 doses.

It may be increased on an interval of 3 to 7 days from 300 to 400 mg daily.

A dose of more than 450 mg daily is not recommended.

Dosage modifications:

• Renal impairment: consult with your doctor the dose of Lyrica if you suffer from renal impairment as a lower dose will be needed
• Hepatic impairment: you won’t need a dose adjustment if you are suffering from hepatic impairment

Side effects of Lyrica:

In this article, we will differentiate between the side effects of Lyrica according to the body area affected.

 

General

The most common side effects are dizziness, somnolence (sleepiness), dry mouth, edema (swelling throughout the body), blurred vision, increased weight, concentration and attention difficulties, and thinking abnormalities.

In pediatric patients, increased appetite and weight gaining are the most reported side effects of Lyrica.

Nervous system

In pediatric patients treated for partial-onset seizures, somnolence, lethargy (lack of energy), sluggishness (acting more slowly), and hypersomnia (excessive sleeping time).

Patients treated for central neuropathic pain caused by a spinal cord injury; somnolence is the most common side effect due to an addition of the already used medications.

Respiratory failure and coma were also reported as side effects of Lyrica.

Very common: Dizziness and somnolence

Common: Neuropathy (damage in one or more of the nerves), ataxia (group of disorders affecting coordination, balance, and speech), vertigo (a condition causing spinning sensation), incoordination, tremors, walking abnormalities, headache, speech problems, and twitching

Cardiovascular

Very common: Peripheral edema (swelling of the extremities)

Common: chest pain

 

Psychiatric

The common side effects of Lyrica are confusion, euphoria, amnesia (memory problems), nervousness, irritability, disorientation, insomnia (sleeping problems), decreased libido (sexual drive), attention disturbances, anxiety, depersonalization (feeling out of self), stupor (a state near to unconsciousness), and thinking abnormalities

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity and allergic reactions are uncommon side effects of Lyrica

Dermatologic

Angioedema is a medical condition including swelling of the face, tongue, lips, and throat.

It may be a life-threatening condition if it was joined with respiratory compromise.

Common: Ecchymosis (a type of bruising), and pruritis (itching caused by dry skin)

Gastrointestinal

Dry mouth, constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal distention, and gastroenteritis (a common medical condition causing diarrhea and vomiting) are the common side effects of Lyrica affecting the gastrointestinal system

Genitourinary

Urinary incontinence (loss of control on the bladder), erectile dysfunction, impotence (inability to keep a firm erection for having a sexual activity), and urinary frequency (a sudden urge to urinate without the ability to control).

Immunologic

Very common: infection

Common: Influenza

Musculoskeletal

Common musculoskeletal side effects of Lyrica include: Myasthenia (weakness and fatigue), muscle cramps, arthralgia (stiffness of joints), back pain, pain in the limbs, cervical spasms, and leg cramps

Ocular

Very common: visual changes

Common: Blurred and abnormal vision, diplopia (double vision), and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye)

Respiratory

Common side effects of Lyrica affecting the respiratory system are dyspnea (breathing difficulties), bronchitis (infection in the airways of the lung), and nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nasal cavities and the pharynx).

Side effects of Lyrica are not limited to the mentioned ones, so if you suffered from any undesirable symptoms or signs while taking Lyrica, make sure to tell your doctor about them to take the right action either by decreasing the dose or discontinuing the drug.